Modulating Heating

Fully modulating heating provides greater efficiency and ideal comfort control by constantly adjusting to changing temperatures in your home. The term modulating in HVAC usually refers to a modulating furnace. This is a high-efficiency furnace.

Modulating furnace

A modulating furnace has a modulating gas valve to help precisely heat your home. Fully modulating burner gas valves adjust the amount of fuel burned incrementally. They can operate between 40% and 100% depending on your specific heating needs. This provides you with ultimate comfort and greater efficiency in the coldest temperatures. A two-stage furnace has a modulating control valve that provides two heating stages - the furnace can operate at 65% to 100% capacity depending on the need.

Variable-speed heat pump

Another high-efficiency heating option is a variable-speed heat pump. The technology is different - there’s no gas valve because a heat pump is all-electric. Instead, a variable-speed heat pump has up to 750 fan stages that continually adjust to provide you with precise heating and cooling based on your set temperature. Our most efficient heat pump, the AccuComfort™ Variable Speed Platinum 20 Heat Pump is consistent within ½ of one degree in 1/10th of 1% increments.

Heat pump vs furnace

Electric heat pump vs gas furnace - which one is better for heating your home? If you live in a milder climate, a heat pump will be more efficient and may cost you less money to heat your home. If you live in a colder climate, a gas furnace may do a better job of keeping your home warm and cozy. 

Consider getting the best of both worlds by upgrading to a dual-fuel system. This is where you pair a heat pump with a gas furnace to provide the most efficient heating based on the outdoor temperature. During chilly weather in the fall and spring, the heat pump will do most of the heating. During frigid winter temperatures, the furnace will take over. The system automatically switches to the most efficient heating source.

As a bonus, the heat pump can also cool your home in the summer just like an air conditioner would.

Looking for a more efficient way to heat your home? Contact your local American Standard dealer to discuss your options.

By Anne Fonda, Content Writer

Expert review by Mark Woodruff, Senior Product Manager, Ducted Outdoor

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